Entertainment

Sebastian Stan’s Dark Fantasy Movie Is Officially In The World Ahead Of Avengers: Doomsday

Nairavoice · Nov 2, 2026 · 3 min read

Rachel Schneider is a news writer at ScreenRant with a background in entertainment journalism, breaking news, and digital media. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Professional Writing and English from Michigan State University before beginning her career as a copy editor and freelance writer, building experience across editorial, lifestyle, and news content.

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Sebastian Stan has become one of the most recognizable actors in the superhero genre, but his career has never been limited to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Long before returning as Bucky Barnes in Avengers: Doomsday, Stan had already built an eclectic resume that included everything from television fantasy to psychological thrillers.

That range has become increasingly apparent as Stan has taken on roles outside the MCU, with some of his earlier performances offering a glimpse at the kind of genre work that would eventually become a major part of his career. Now, one of his darker fantasy movies is finding a surprising new audience on HBO Max around the world.

The Covenant Is On HBO Max Globally

Stan’s 2006 dark fantasy movie The Covenant is currently the No. 3 movie on HBO Max worldwide. The movie is not available on HBO Max in the United States, making its global chart performance particularly notable for American viewers who may not have encountered it on the platform.

Directed by Renny Harlin, The Covenant follows four young men from families with supernatural abilities who attend an elite New England prep school. Stan plays Chase Collins, a new student whose arrival creates tension among the group and eventually reveals that he has a much deeper connection to their supernatural world than initially expected.

The movie arrived nearly two decades before Stan’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe became one of the biggest parts of his career. At the time, however, The Covenant gave him an opportunity to work within the fantasy genre and play a character surrounded by supernatural mythology.

The Covenant Set The Stage For Sebastian Stan’s Fantasy & Superhero Roles

Stan’s fantasy career continued after The Covenant when he was cast as Jefferson, better known as the Mad Hatter, on Once Upon a Time. His version of the character appeared in the show’s first two seasons. However, Stan’s biggest role in the genre arrived even earlier than Once Upon a Time. He made his Marvel debut as Bucky Barnes in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, beginning a role that would eventually span multiple movies and a Disney+ series. His return as Bucky in Avengers: Doomsday is now just over a month away, with the movie scheduled to hit theaters on December 18.

That long-running Marvel role has understandably become the defining part of Stan’s career, but it is far from his only memorable genre performance. In fact, several of his best roles outside Bucky have demonstrated why he has been able to move so comfortably between fantasy, superhero stories, and more grounded dramas.

His connection to superhero movies may also extend beyond Marvel. Stan has been linked to speculation surrounding The Batman – Part II, although his potential DC role remains unconfirmed. That possibility has only added to the curiosity surrounding how the actor might continue expanding within the genre. For now, though, Stan’s immediate superhero future remains firmly with Marvel. Avengers: Doomsday officially lists him as Bucky Barnes alongside a massive ensemble that includes Anthony Mackie, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal.